[[Image:View of Seattle waterfront.jpg|350px|thumb|Downtown Seattle from the water]]

[[Image:View of Seattle waterfront.jpg|350px|thumb|Downtown Seattle from the water]]

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Packed between Elliott Bay, [[Seattle/Pioneer Square|Pioneer Square]], [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|Queen Anne]], and [[Seattle/Capitol Hill-Central District|Capitol Hill]], '''Downtown [[Seattle]]''' unsurprisingly contains the city's business district and a number of large retailers. Also in downtown are the Central Library, the Paramount Theater, Pike Place Market, and several local and federal government administration buildings.

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Packed between Elliott Bay, [[Seattle/Pioneer Square|Pioneer Square]], [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|Queen Anne]], and [[Seattle/Capitol Hill-Central District|Capitol Hill]], '''Downtown [[Seattle]]''' unsurprisingly contains the city's business district and a number of large retailers. Also in downtown are the Central Library, the Paramount Theater, Pike Place Market, and several local and federal government administration buildings. North of Downtown is one of the most dense urban neighborhoods in the city, Belltown, one of only two city-center areas (along with First Hill) with mostly tall residential buildings over five stories. Belltown is a walkable neighborhood with a number of notable restaurants and a lively bar and dance-club scene at night.

==Get in==

==Get in==

Line 17:

Line 17:

===By public transit===

===By public transit===

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*'''Metro Transit''' [http://transit.metrokc.gov/] operates bus routes throughout Seattle, connecting downtown to outlying neighborhoods. Fares are $2.25 at rush hours and $1.75 all other times of the day.

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*'''Metro Transit''' [http://transit.metrokc.gov/] operates bus routes throughout Seattle, connecting downtown to outlying neighborhoods. Fares are $2.50 at rush hours and $2.25 all other times of the day.

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*'''Sound Transit''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/] provides express bus service from the outlying suburbs and communities of the Seattle Area such as Bellevue, Everett, and Tacoma.

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*'''Sound Transit''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/] provides express bus service from the outlying suburbs and communities of the Seattle Area such as Bellevue (Rt 550), Everett (Rt 510, 512, 513), and Tacoma (Rt 590, 594).

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*In addition to buses, Sound Transit also operates the '''Link Light Rail''' line [http://www.soundtransit.org/Riding-Sound-Transit/Schedules-and-Facilities/Central-Link-Light-Rail.xml] running south to [[Tukwila]] and [[SeaTac]], and the '''Sounder''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/x71.xml], a commuter rail service with lines running south to [[Tacoma]] and north to [[Everett]]. The Sounder's terminal is the King Street Station at the southern end of downtown.

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*'''Community Transit''' [http://www.commtrans.org/] provides express bus service to/from the outlying suburbs and communities of Snohomish County up north such as Lynnwood, Stanwood, Edmonds, Mulkiteo, Silver Firs (north of Bothell), Lake Stevens, Marysville, etc. From downtown Seattle the routes are numbered in the 400s.

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*In addition to buses, Sound Transit also operates the '''Link Light Rail''' line [http://www.soundtransit.org/Riding-Sound-Transit/Schedules-and-Facilities/Central-Link-Light-Rail.xml] running south to [[Tukwila]] and [[SeaTac]], and the '''Sounder''' [http://www.soundtransit.org/x71.xml], a commuter rail service with lines running south to [[Tacoma]] and north to [[Everett (Washington)|Everett]]. The Sounder's terminal is the King Street Station at the southern end of downtown.

*The '''South Lake Union Streetcar''' [http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/] connects the Westlake Center in north downtown to the nearby neighborhood of [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|South Lake Union]] just to the north. Fare is $1.75 for adults and $0.50 for seniors/youth.

*The '''South Lake Union Streetcar''' [http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/] connects the Westlake Center in north downtown to the nearby neighborhood of [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|South Lake Union]] just to the north. Fare is $1.75 for adults and $0.50 for seniors/youth.

*The '''Seattle Center Monorail''' [http://www.seattlemonorail.com/] makes a direct connection between Westlake Center and the [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|Seattle Center]] north of downtown, which is home to the Space Needle. Round-trip fares are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1.50 for youth.

*The '''Seattle Center Monorail''' [http://www.seattlemonorail.com/] makes a direct connection between Westlake Center and the [[Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake Union|Seattle Center]] north of downtown, which is home to the Space Needle. Round-trip fares are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1.50 for youth.

Line 26:

Line 27:

===On foot===

===On foot===

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Seattle's downtown is quite compact and northwest-southeast streets can easily be walked. However, northeast-southwest streets can be extremely steep. When your feet are tired, hop onto the free Metro buses for a break.

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Seattle's downtown is quite compact and northwest-southeast streets can easily be walked. However, northeast-southwest streets can be extremely steep. When your feet are tired, hop onto the Metro buses for a break.

===By public transit===

===By public transit===

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Downtown is the hub of Seattle's public transit system, and a variety of modes serve the district. '''Metro Transit''' [http://metro.kingcounty.gov/] serves downtown very well, and much of downtown is a ride-free area, so buses are free during the daytime. The '''Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel''', a hub for many Metro bus routes, is within the ride-free area and runs the length of downtown Seattle from the King Street Station (near Qwest Field and Safeco Field) at the southern end and Westlake Center and the convention center at the northern end.

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Downtown is the hub of Seattle's public transit system, and a variety of modes serve the district. '''Metro Transit''' [http://metro.kingcounty.gov/] serves downtown very well. The '''Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel''', a hub for many Metro bus routes runs the length of downtown Seattle from the King Street Station (near Qwest Field and Safeco Field) at the southern end and Westlake Center and the convention center at the northern end.

* <see name="Seattle Central Library" alt="" address="1000 4th Ave" directions="" phone="+1 206 386-4636" email="" fax="" url="http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central&branchID=1" hours="M-Th 10AM-8AM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM" price="Free">A dramatic glass and steel structure in the heart of downtown Seattle, designed by Rem Koolhaas. This is not an average public library and has become a tourist destination in its own right. A popular way to experience the unique architecture of the building is to take an elevator to the 10th floor, the highest observation deck. From here you can walk down to the main floor through the Book Spiral; the core of the structure which organizes the library's books in one continuous path of uninterrupted Dewey Decimal progression.</see>

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* <see name="Seattle Central Library" alt="" address="1000 4th Ave" directions="" phone="+1 206 386-4636" email="" fax="" url="http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central&branchID=1" hours="M-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM" price="Free">A dramatic glass and steel structure in the heart of downtown Seattle, designed by Rem Koolhaas. This is not an average public library and has become a tourist destination in its own right. A popular way to experience the unique architecture of the building is to take an elevator to the 10th floor, the highest observation deck. From here you can walk down to the main floor through the Book Spiral; the core of the structure which organizes the library's books in one continuous path of uninterrupted Dewey Decimal progression.</see>

SFWT provides tours of downtown Seattle EVERYDAY. Meet the tour guides in Victor Steinbrueck Park, located at the north entrance of Pike Place Market, at 11am. Tour guides are there rain or shine, so dress for the elements. Guides take every group through Pike Place Market, Post Alley, Pioneer Square, and the historic waterfront. They sample some of the foods from market vendors and give an entertaining history of the city. SFWT is able to eliminate fees by relying on tips and donations alone.

* <do name="SceneInSeattle Fine Art Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.sceneinseattle.org" hours="" price="">This is a tour for people who aren't in town for "Art Walk" but still want to know about what is happening in Seattle's art scene. It was started by a local gallery and is headed by a curator or gallery owner. You walk through the "West Edge" also known as the Museum District galleries and learn about Seattle's art history, up-and-coming artists, scandals, and public works. It is a lovely insiders view about makes it a lot easier to find the galleries which can be hidden away. They also tour other neighborhoods like the "East Edge" of Pioneer Square.</do>

* <do name="SceneInSeattle Fine Art Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.sceneinseattle.org" hours="" price="">This is a tour for people who aren't in town for "Art Walk" but still want to know about what is happening in Seattle's art scene. It was started by a local gallery and is headed by a curator or gallery owner. You walk through the "West Edge" also known as the Museum District galleries and learn about Seattle's art history, up-and-coming artists, scandals, and public works. It is a lovely insiders view about makes it a lot easier to find the galleries which can be hidden away. They also tour other neighborhoods like the "East Edge" of Pioneer Square.</do>

*<drink name="The Bookstore Bar" alt="" address="92 Madison Street,Seattle, WA 98104" directions="" phone="(206) 624-3646" url="http://www.librarybistro.com/bookstore-bar-seattle.php" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">A cozy bar and bistro with a pleasant and upscale ambience that has walls of books surrounding the bar. Happy hour is daily from to 4 to 7PM with 3-8$ food specials and drink specials as well. An extensive selection of scotch and bourbon is available. The bar is located in the Alexis hotel.</drink>

===Bars and taverns===

===Bars and taverns===

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*<drink name="Belltown Pub" alt="" address="2322 1st Avenue" directions="" phone="206-448-6210" url="http://www.thebelltownpub.com/" hours="11AM to 2AM daily" price="" lat="" long="">Very good local pub with happy hour everyday from 4PM to 6:30PM and 10PM to 1AM with a variety of food options (good veggie burgers) from 4$ to 7$ and 1$ off wells and draft beers and 4$ glasses of Chardonnay and 5$ glasses of Merlot are available. Pool table, shuffleboard table and foosball table located upstairs with free play and multiple flat panel TVs are located throughout the bar as well. Listed as as best local pub (Readers choice poll) for 2011 by Seattle Magazine.</drink>

*'''The Pink Door,''' 1919 Post Alley (Pike Place Market), reasonably good Italian restaurant, but it's a better bar, with a rather European market ambiance and a trellis-covered outdoor deck. Occasional cabaret-style live entertainment, no cover.

*'''The Pink Door,''' 1919 Post Alley (Pike Place Market), reasonably good Italian restaurant, but it's a better bar, with a rather European market ambiance and a trellis-covered outdoor deck. Occasional cabaret-style live entertainment, no cover.

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* '''Noc Noc''', [http://www.clubnocnoc.com/]. --1516 Second Avenue -- The old-fashioned bar attracts an eclectic crowd that enjoys a very late night. Great 80's retro music night every Saturday night starting at 9PM. Good and inexpensive happy hour Monday thru Wednesday from 5PM to 9PM and Thursday thru Sunday from 3PM to 9PM with appetizers from 3$ to 6$ and entrees from 6 to 8$. Happy hour drink specials include PBR, Miller High Life and Bud Light for 2$ and well drinks for 3$. After-hours club Friday and Saturday nights (age 21 and over only)starting at 2AM until 10AM (Sat morning) and until 11AM (Sunday morning). A nice mix of locals and tourists.

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* '''Noc Noc''', [http://www.clubnocnoc.com/]. --1516 Second Avenue -- When visiting Seattle, this is a great place to unwind. The old-fashioned bar attracts an eclectic crowd that enjoys a very late night.

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* '''Shorty's''', [http://www.shortydog.com]--2222A Second Avenue -- A variety of classic pinball games and honest hot dogs. Be sure to check out the Trophy Lounge hidden in the back.

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* '''Shorty's''', [http://www.shortydog.com]--2222A Second Avenue -- A variety of classic pinball games and honest hot dogs make this a unique watering hole. Be sure to check out the Trophy Lounge hidden in the back.

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* '''Tula's''', 2214 Second Ave (Belltown). Tula's is a good and affordable venue for local jazz. Cover charges range from $5 to $12.

* '''Tula's''', 2214 Second Ave (Belltown). Tula's is a good and affordable venue for local jazz. Cover charges range from $5 to $12.

Line 168:

Line 166:

* '''Starbucks Store #1''', in the Pike Place Market. Who would have thought, when this unassuming place opened in 1971, that it would give rise to a global empire? So get in line, order a latte (no different from anywhere else in the world), and ponder the vagaries of history. And check out the uncensored mermaid which acted as the original logo for the company.

* '''Starbucks Store #1''', in the Pike Place Market. Who would have thought, when this unassuming place opened in 1971, that it would give rise to a global empire? So get in line, order a latte (no different from anywhere else in the world), and ponder the vagaries of history. And check out the uncensored mermaid which acted as the original logo for the company.

*'''Green Tortoise Hostel''' [http://www.greentortoise.net] 105b Pike St, ''+1 206'' 340-1222 or ''+1'' 888 424-6783. Right across the street from the famous Pike Place Market, and around the corner from its old Hostel. The new hostel, with a view of the Puget Sound and the Market, has 30 newly-remodeled bunk rooms in the elegantly restored Elliot Hotel Building. Free internet stations and WiFi, free dinner 3 nights a week, and free breakfast every morning. The Green Tortoise is a Seattle backpacker institution that also runs festive low-budget bus tours to Mexico and Central America.

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* <sleep name="Green Tortoise Hostel" alt="" address="105 Pike St" directions="" phone="+1 206 344-1222 or +1 888 424-6383" email="" fax="" url="http://www.greentortoise.net" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Right across the street from the famous Pike Place Market, and around the corner from its old Hostel. The new hostel, with a view of the Puget Sound and the Market, has 30 newly-remodeled bunk rooms in the elegantly restored Elliot Hotel Building. Free internet stations and WiFi, free dinner 3 nights a week, and free breakfast every morning. The Green Tortoise is a Seattle backpacker institution that also runs festive low-budget bus tours to other parts of the USA, to Mexico and Central America. They also have another hostel in San Francisco.

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</sleep>

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*'''Inn at Queen Anne''', [http://www.innatqueenanne.com/]. A small hotel offering budget and extended stay lodging accommodations near local tourist attractions and the waterfront.

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* <sleep name="Hostelling International Seattle " alt="at the American Hotel" address="520 S King St" directions="At S King and 6th Ave S" phone="+1 206 622-5443" email="" fax="+1 206 299-4141" url="http://www.hiusa.org/seattle" checkin="" checkout="" price=""> Another hostel in the International District (Chinatown), in the south end of downtown and near Safeco (Seattle Mariners) & Century Link (Seattle Seahawks) Fields. Also a few blocks to the LINK Light Rail International District Station for the ride to the airport and the King Street Station (train station).</sleep>

Revision as of 05:45, 14 May 2013

Downtown Seattle from the water

Packed between Elliott Bay, Pioneer Square, Queen Anne, and Capitol Hill, Downtown Seattle unsurprisingly contains the city's business district and a number of large retailers. Also in downtown are the Central Library, the Paramount Theater, Pike Place Market, and several local and federal government administration buildings. North of Downtown is one of the most dense urban neighborhoods in the city, Belltown, one of only two city-center areas (along with First Hill) with mostly tall residential buildings over five stories. Belltown is a walkable neighborhood with a number of notable restaurants and a lively bar and dance-club scene at night.

From I-90 from the eastside, continue straight onto the exit 4th Ave S, then turn left toward downtown: OR exit onto I-5 north and follow the I-5 northbound directions.

From WA-520 from the eastside, exit onto I-5 south and follow the I-5 southbound directions.

By ferry

Washington state ferries[1] offer service from the Seattle pier (at 801 Alaskan Way) to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton: this is a very fun and scenic ride.

By public transit

Metro Transit[2] operates bus routes throughout Seattle, connecting downtown to outlying neighborhoods. Fares are $2.50 at rush hours and $2.25 all other times of the day.

Sound Transit[3] provides express bus service from the outlying suburbs and communities of the Seattle Area such as Bellevue (Rt 550), Everett (Rt 510, 512, 513), and Tacoma (Rt 590, 594).

Community Transit[4] provides express bus service to/from the outlying suburbs and communities of Snohomish County up north such as Lynnwood, Stanwood, Edmonds, Mulkiteo, Silver Firs (north of Bothell), Lake Stevens, Marysville, etc. From downtown Seattle the routes are numbered in the 400s.

In addition to buses, Sound Transit also operates the Link Light Rail line [5] running south to Tukwila and SeaTac, and the Sounder[6], a commuter rail service with lines running south to Tacoma and north to Everett. The Sounder's terminal is the King Street Station at the southern end of downtown.

The South Lake Union Streetcar[7] connects the Westlake Center in north downtown to the nearby neighborhood of South Lake Union just to the north. Fare is $1.75 for adults and $0.50 for seniors/youth.

The Seattle Center Monorail[8] makes a direct connection between Westlake Center and the Seattle Center north of downtown, which is home to the Space Needle. Round-trip fares are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1.50 for youth.

Get around

On foot

Seattle's downtown is quite compact and northwest-southeast streets can easily be walked. However, northeast-southwest streets can be extremely steep. When your feet are tired, hop onto the Metro buses for a break.

By public transit

Downtown is the hub of Seattle's public transit system, and a variety of modes serve the district. Metro Transit[9] serves downtown very well. The Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, a hub for many Metro bus routes runs the length of downtown Seattle from the King Street Station (near Qwest Field and Safeco Field) at the southern end and Westlake Center and the convention center at the northern end.

Columbia Center, 701 5th Ave (at Columbia St), ☎+1 206 386-5151. M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. The second tallest building on the West Coast and the tallest in Seattle has its own 73rd floor observation deck. Great views from the top. Arguably a better (and definitely cheaper!) view than offered by the Space Needle, though it doesn't cover a full 360 degrees and the space is shared with the city traffic monitoring center. This building isn't well known as a tourist attraction, so there is little to no line to get to the top. Occasional closures due to private events or security alerts.$5 adults, $3 students.

Pike Place Market, 1501 Pike Place (1st and Pike, above the waterfront), [13]. Pike Place level: M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Down Under level: 11AM-5PM daily. Pike Place Market is not entirely indoors, but nearly. It is comprised of dozens of little shops tucked into a few square blocks downtown, on multiple levels. If you hate shopping you still might like this place, with its quirky atmosphere (including the famous seafood shop where the staff throw a fish from one end to the other). As the weather gets warmer, more artisans set up booths to sell photographs, glass, ceramics, and fresh flowers. Several farmers come to sell their produce, and a vast amount of tiny hole-in-the-wall places offer all kinds of cuisine (french, russian, mexican, seafood chowder, etc...) It is within walking distance of the NCL Cruiseline dock...good if you want to walk from the boat, but making the market rather crowded when their boats are in harbor. Hours are shortest on Sunday: only 11AM-5PM. Look for big blond Johnny Hahn on his portable piano, or one of the other regular street musicians on a more conventional street instrument. Leave the more trafficked areas behind and go downstairs into the Down Under area to explore the creepy, dusty shops. The weird, cramped Parrot Store even further downstairs (on 1st Avenue) is worth the $0.50 admission if you like parrots.

Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way (on Pier 59 on the Waterfront), ☎+1 206 386-4300, [14]. exhibits open 9:30AM-6PM, last admission at 5PM. Showcasing native fish and mammals of the Pacific Northwest. Among the highlights are the Windows on Washington (WOW) exhibit, two touch tanks featuring animals of the inland sea and outer coast, a display of two giant pacific octopuses, gill sharks, Pacific coral reefs, a display of local birds as well as Harbor Seals, Great Northern Fur Seals, and Sea Otters.Adults $17, children (4-12) $11, children 3 or under free.

Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St (at 1st Ave), ☎+1 206 654-3100 (boxoffice@seattleartmuseum.org), [15]. W,Sa-Su 10AM-5PM, Th-F 10AM-9PM, closed M-Tu. The museum's recent physical expansion, coupled with an aggressive campaign to expand the collection, now displays an good overview assortment of art from around the world. Though the permanent exhibitions only occasionally delve deeply into a specific subject (such as the enormous variety of pieces in the porcelain room), extensive special exhibitions fill the gap.Suggested admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors (62 and over) and military, $9 students with ID and youth 13–17, children 12 and under free. Some special exhibitions charge an additional fee. Admission to the museum is free for everyone on the first Thursday of each month.

Seattle Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, ☎+1 206 386-4636, [17]. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. A dramatic glass and steel structure in the heart of downtown Seattle, designed by Rem Koolhaas. This is not an average public library and has become a tourist destination in its own right. A popular way to experience the unique architecture of the building is to take an elevator to the 10th floor, the highest observation deck. From here you can walk down to the main floor through the Book Spiral; the core of the structure which organizes the library's books in one continuous path of uninterrupted Dewey Decimal progression.Free.

Washington Convention and Trade Center, [18]. Major convention centre, straddling the I-5 freeway on the east side of Downtown.

Tilikum Place Park, 5th & Cedar, [19]. Home to the famous statue of Chief Seattle. Sit in the park in the 5 Point Cafe's outdoor seating and enjoy views of the Space Needle, and watch the monorail go by.

Do

SceneInSeattle Fine Art Tours, [20]. This is a tour for people who aren't in town for "Art Walk" but still want to know about what is happening in Seattle's art scene. It was started by a local gallery and is headed by a curator or gallery owner. You walk through the "West Edge" also known as the Museum District galleries and learn about Seattle's art history, up-and-coming artists, scandals, and public works. It is a lovely insiders view about makes it a lot easier to find the galleries which can be hidden away. They also tour other neighborhoods like the "East Edge" of Pioneer Square.

Gameworks, 1511 7th Ave (Next to Regal Cinema), ☎1+ 206 521-0952, [21]. M-Th 11AM-midnight, F 11AM-1AM, Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-midnight. Gameworks is a chain gaming store for people to have fun. Doesn't matter if you are a teenager or an adult, this is a great place to release the stress and enjoy all types of video games. There are variety of games like Initial D4, Midnight Maximum Tune 3, House of the Dead 4, etc. World Sports Grille is the restaurant & bar inside that serves American food.

Buy

VAIN, 2018 1st Ave (2 blocks north of Pike Place Market), ☎+1 206 441 3441, [22]. Open late most evenings check website for daily hours. VAIN now occupies the home of the infamous Vogue nightclub. Vain is a community space, boutique and hair salon. The upper two floors are 20 working art studios. They have an active arts calender and host other cultural events and fundraisers. Know for supporting "alternative visions of beauty" you can expect to find an 8 year old getting their first mohawk along side a 68 year old having a conservative bob trimmed up. $15-$65.

REI / Second Ascent. Seattle is one of the best cities in the world to buy high-quality secondhand outdoors equipment — good to know, because brand new equipment is often really expensive. REI has a twice-yearly Garage Sale clearance event, but also has a clearance section downstairs where you can often find boots, down sleeping bags, tents, etc. with easily repairable damage at a fraction of the cost. Second Ascent, located in Ballard, is another great secondhand outdoors store.

Eat

Mistral Kitchen, 2020 Westlake Ave (corner of 8th and Westlake), ☎206.623.1922, [23]. 11am-10pm. Mistral Kitchen is the embodiment of every type of restaurant Chef/Owner William Belickis loves to experience himself: a place you can pop into after work for a drink and a snack, but also the first place that comes to mind when your 20th Anniversary rolls around.$30.

Budget

Pick up some bread, cheese, sausage and smoked fish from the shops in Pike Place Market and have a picnic on the grass at the north end of the Market, or get a cup of coffee and sit at a table on the sidewalk.

The 5 Point Cafe, 415 Cedar St (At 5th Ave & Cedar St, adjacent to Tilikum Place Park.), ☎+1 206 948-6672, [25]. 24 hours. Seattle's oldest restaurant, serving huge portions of American comfort food since 1929. The full menu is served 24 hours every day. Full bar with stiff drinks. Over 25 local beers and liquors. Great jukebox and an eclectic mix of regulars and locals, tourists, politicians, young hipsters, freaks and grouchy old men. Free wifi. Outdoor seating. A true piece of Seattle history not to be missed.$10.

Big Mario's New York Pizza, 1009 E Pike St (On Capitol Hill just east of Broadway.), ☎+1 206 922-3875, [26]. 11AM-4AM. Seattle's only true New York style thin crust pizza. Huge, foldable slices or whole pies. Full bar with lots of local beers. Pizza window open late night.

Ivar's Acres of Clams, (Downtown Seattle waterfront.), [28]. Smoked salmon plate-lunch and fish-n-chips served outdoors at a scenic downtown waterfront location. Ordering at the walk-up counter outside is inexpensive.Please do not feed ducks and seagulls as human food is harmful for birds! Good food, but pretty touristy.$7.

Jack's Fish Spot, (In Pike Place Market.), [29]. lunch. A good place to get dungeness crabs in Seattle. If you have a kitchen, buy them live and cook them yourself.

Piroshky Piroshky, 1908 Pike Place (On the east side of the market.), ☎+1 206 441-6068, [30]. May-Sep M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM, Sa-Su 7:30AM-7:30PM, Oct-Apr 8AM-6:30PM daily. A very popular eatery in Pike Place Market, specializing in those same Russian pastries that make up their name. They have many varieties, both savory and sweet from which to choose. The smoked salmon, the cheese, onion & garlic roll and the apple cinnamon roll are all excellent.$3-5.

Mid-Range

Campagne Restaurant, 86 Pine St, [31]. Country cuisine in an urban setting brings the joys of coastal France to Seattle.

McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, 1103 First Ave, ☎+1 206 623-5500, [33]. Daily 11:30AM-11PM. Part of a chain, there's nothing unique to Seattle about the place, but the location is convenient and the food consistent.

FOX Sports Grill, 1522 6th Ave (Around 6th and Pine), ☎1+ 206 340-1369, [36]. M-Th 11am-12am, F-Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm. A combination of dining and watching sport. Come here to cheer out for your favorite team while enjoying good food. FOX Sports Grill has a TV in each corners of the restaurant. The TV set up at the bar allows you to watch multiple sports. They do not take reservations, so better get there early, as it can be packed during special events like Super Bowl.

Splurge

Dahlia Lounge, 2001 4th Ave, ☎+1 206 682-4142, [37]. M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 5PM-9PM (Sa-Su 9AM-2PM). Tom Douglas' premiere restaurant and, perhaps, one of Seattle's very finest. It is a very eclectic and creative restaurant. There is an emphasis on seafood that runs throughout the ever-changing menu with many Asian influences, too. The appetizers tend to outshine the entrees, so opt for making a meal by ordering one of each and leaving room for dessert (the freshly-fried doughnuts delivered in a paper sack are a bit incongruous, but deservedly popular). (47.613045,-122.340295)

Le Pichet. An excellent French bistro, in the heart of downtown. Try the roast chicken.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 727 Pine St, ☎+1 206 624-8524, [38]. Tucked in the center of the downtown hotels. Side dishes served on a per-table basis, so make sure you can agree with your companions! Skip the happy hour.

Daily Grill, 629 Pike St (Adjacent to Sheraton), ☎+1 206 624-8400, [41]. 11AM-11PM, happy hour 3PM-6PM. At the corner between 6th and 7th ave, Daily Grill is a good option to go after movies or shopping. Daily Grill serves quality American food and has great interior when you step in. Definitely go during happy hour — appetizers start at $3.95.

Elliott's Oyster House, 1201 Alaskan Way (Between Ferry Terminal and Waterfront Park), ☎+1 206 623-4340, [42]. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, happy hour M-F 3PM-6PM. Seafood specialty restaurant that most famous for serving fresh oysters. In addition, the menu has options of various seafood to choose from, such as King Salmon, Sockeye, Dungeness Crab, King Crab, Yellowfin Ahi(a type of tuna), you name it. Happy Hour is affordable with chef's choice of fresh oysters on the half-shell starting at $0.75 each at 3PM, $1.25 each at 4PM, $1.75 each at 5PM, and other deals. The restaurant is located right by the dock and the view is fantastic during summer while sitting outside.

Drink

The Bookstore Bar, 92 Madison Street,Seattle, WA 98104, ☎(206) 624-3646, [43]. A cozy bar and bistro with a pleasant and upscale ambience that has walls of books surrounding the bar. Happy hour is daily from to 4 to 7PM with 3-8$ food specials and drink specials as well. An extensive selection of scotch and bourbon is available. The bar is located in the Alexis hotel.

Bars and taverns

Belltown Pub, 2322 1st Avenue, ☎206-448-6210, [44]. 11AM to 2AM daily. Very good local pub with happy hour everyday from 4PM to 6:30PM and 10PM to 1AM with a variety of food options (good veggie burgers) from 4$ to 7$ and 1$ off wells and draft beers and 4$ glasses of Chardonnay and 5$ glasses of Merlot are available. Pool table, shuffleboard table and foosball table located upstairs with free play and multiple flat panel TVs are located throughout the bar as well. Listed as as best local pub (Readers choice poll) for 2011 by Seattle Magazine.

The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley (Pike Place Market), reasonably good Italian restaurant, but it's a better bar, with a rather European market ambiance and a trellis-covered outdoor deck. Occasional cabaret-style live entertainment, no cover.

Noc Noc, [46]. --1516 Second Avenue -- The old-fashioned bar attracts an eclectic crowd that enjoys a very late night. Great 80's retro music night every Saturday night starting at 9PM. Good and inexpensive happy hour Monday thru Wednesday from 5PM to 9PM and Thursday thru Sunday from 3PM to 9PM with appetizers from 3$ to 6$ and entrees from 6 to 8$. Happy hour drink specials include PBR, Miller High Life and Bud Light for 2$ and well drinks for 3$. After-hours club Friday and Saturday nights (age 21 and over only)starting at 2AM until 10AM (Sat morning) and until 11AM (Sunday morning). A nice mix of locals and tourists.

Shorty's, [47]--2222A Second Avenue -- A variety of classic pinball games and honest hot dogs. Be sure to check out the Trophy Lounge hidden in the back.

Tula's, 2214 Second Ave (Belltown). Tula's is a good and affordable venue for local jazz. Cover charges range from $5 to $12.

The Wildrose[48], one of the country's oldest lesbian bars, is on 11th and Pike. A full bar, the 'Rose' also serves light meals and snacks. The requisite pool table is always waiting for the next challenger.

Breweries

Pike Brewery, (On 1st Ave. near the Pike Place Market.). Great variety of beers (try the Kiltlifter) and good food too. Can be found in grocery stores and on tap at some bars.

Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery, and Restaurant, 1201 First Ave S, [49]. One of the more prominent breweries in Seattle. This beer can be found on tap at numerous bars across the city, as well as in most local grocery stores.

Coffee

Plaque inside the first Starbucks store

Bellino Coffee, 2421 2nd Ave, +1 206 956-4237. European style coffee shop located in Belltown. The focus of the place is to make top notch espresso drinks. They have also created a comfortable place with nice chairs and outdoor seating.

Local Color, +1 206 728-1717, [51]. Serves Caffé Vita coffee in Pike Place's largest independent coffeehouse. Also an art gallery, with new art on the walls at the beginning of each month. The first Saturday of every month, holds an art opening from 6PM-9PM.

Starbucks Store #1, in the Pike Place Market. Who would have thought, when this unassuming place opened in 1971, that it would give rise to a global empire? So get in line, order a latte (no different from anywhere else in the world), and ponder the vagaries of history. And check out the uncensored mermaid which acted as the original logo for the company.

Green Tortoise Hostel, 105 Pike St, ☎+1 206 344-1222 or +1 888 424-6383, [54]. Right across the street from the famous Pike Place Market, and around the corner from its old Hostel. The new hostel, with a view of the Puget Sound and the Market, has 30 newly-remodeled bunk rooms in the elegantly restored Elliot Hotel Building. Free internet stations and WiFi, free dinner 3 nights a week, and free breakfast every morning. The Green Tortoise is a Seattle backpacker institution that also runs festive low-budget bus tours to other parts of the USA, to Mexico and Central America. They also have another hostel in San Francisco.

Hostelling International Seattle (at the American Hotel), 520 S King St (At S King and 6th Ave S), ☎+1 206 622-5443 (fax: +1 206 299-4141), [55]. Another hostel in the International District (Chinatown), in the south end of downtown and near Safeco (Seattle Mariners) & Century Link (Seattle Seahawks) Fields. Also a few blocks to the LINK Light Rail International District Station for the ride to the airport and the King Street Station (train station).

Travelodge Seattle Center, 200 6th Ave N, ☎206-441-7878, [62]. Two blocks east of the Space Needle and monorail terminal, adjacent to Belltown. About a mile's walk (or a few minutes on the monorail) from the downtown core.

Splurge

Alexis. 1st Ave (near the Coleman ferry docks and at the edge of the financial district). This art-themed hotel has original works throughout the lobby and in the rooms. Furthermore, it sports a big old [Dale Chihuly] glass piece in the lobby.

The Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown, 1113 Sixth Ave, +1 800 521-2762 or +1 206 464-1980, [63]. Superb location downtown, enjoy the view of the Space Needle out of the guest rooms. A few blocks away are the historic Pike Place Market, the new Seattle Central Library, Safeco Field and Qwest Field in Pioneer Square. Also offers Port of Seattle cruise package as well as many other Seattle packages. Home to the Regatta Bar and Grill featuring fresh seafood and prime meats.

The Edgewater[64]. Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way. +1 800 624-0670 or +1 206 728-7000. Near the Pike Place Market, right on the water, and famous for three things: you could at one time literally fish right out of your window, it was the site of a notorious Led Zeppelin incident, and the Beatles stayed here during their 1964 tour. Rooms either face the city with no great view other than the Space Needle, or face the water. These latter rooms enjoy the non-stop action of the ferries and cruise liners in the harbor. The restaurant is elegantly decorated with a few outdoor tables right over the water.

The Fairmont Olympic[65]. 411 University St, +1 206 621-1700. The only hotel in the Northwest to win a five-diamond award. Pulls off grand and luxurious perfectly, is in the middle of downtown. The hotel can start at $450 peak season, other the $300's.

The Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St, +1 800 426-1265, [72]. This historic hotel has crowned the First Hill since 1908. It is a posh, Italinate, 7-story hotel with fine dining in the AAA - 4 diamond Hunt Club - For a classy night out before the "hopera".

Contact

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